This Farming Life

Jenni moves her alpacas, donkeys and goats to their new arena, setting up the space for the herd. At the same time, the MacDonalds round up their pregnant Highland cattle on the tiny island of Vallay for a prenatal check‑up.

The programme documents a day in the lives of two rural families as they look after their livestock. It follows Jenni and the MacDonald family as they each tackle a specific task that highlights the practical side of farm management. The episode is presented in a straightforward style, keeping the focus on the animals and the work required to keep them healthy. In the first part of the episode, Jenni transports her herd of alpacas, donkeys and goats to a newly prepared arena. The move involves guiding each animal into the fresh space, ready for whatever activities the arena will host. Meanwhile, the MacDonalds gather their pregnant Highland cattle on the tiny island of Vallay. Their aim is to bring the expectant cows together for a pre‑natal check‑up, ensuring the health of both the mothers and their unborn calves. The segment on Vallay underscores the island’s modest size while showing the careful handling of the Highland cattle during the round‑up. The pre‑natal examination is carried out on site, giving viewers a glimpse of how farmers monitor animal welfare before birth. Together, these two storylines illustrate the routine yet essential tasks that keep farm animals thriving, from moving them to new facilities to conducting health checks in remote locations.